Lead is a toxic substance that may enter the body through breathing or swallowing lead dusts, fumes, or mists. If food, cigarettes, or your hands have lead on them, lead may be swallowed while you are eating, drinking, or smoking. Once in the body, lead enters the bloodstream and may be carried to all parts of the body. The body can eliminate some of this lead, but any remaining stored lead may cause irreversible damage to cells, organs and whole body systems. After exposure stops, it takes months or even years for all lead to be removed from the body.

What Are the Symptoms?

Exposure to lead may affect each person differently. Even before symptoms appear, lead may cause unseen injury to the body. During early stages of lead poisoning, mild symptoms may be overlooked as everyday medical complaints, including:

The Lead in Construction Standard 29 CFR (1926.62) is designed to protect you if you are exposed to lead on the job. The permissible exposure limit for airborne lead is an 8-hour time weighted average of 50 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter of air). However, the permissible exposure limit is lower if your workday exceeds 8 hours.

Regardless of your exposure, your employer is required to do the following:

inform you of the hazards of lead

provide handwashing facilities

provide clean protective clothing where skin or eye irritation exists

provide you with a respirator when you want one

Exposure at or above 30 µg/m³ (the action level) requires the following:

Additionally, exposure in excess of the permissible exposure limit requires:

engineering and work practice controls to minimize exposure

properly selected and fitted respiratory protection

clean protective clothing

clean change areas

showers (where feasible)

How Do I Know If I’m Overexposed?

Your employer is required to assess your exposure whenever you may be exposed to lead. However, until your employer demonstrates otherwise, it is presumed that you are exposed in excess of the permissible exposure limit if you:

spray paint with lead paint

use lead-containing mortar

engage in lead burning

or perform any of the following activities where lead-containing coatings or paint are present:

manual demolition of structures

manual scraping

manual sandingh

heat gun applications

power tool cleaning

river busting

welding

torch burning

abrasive blasting

cleanup activities where dry, expendable abrasives are used

abrasive blasting enclosure movement and removal

This fact sheet is intended to highlight the major aspects of the Lead in Construction Standard and is not to be interpreted as the complete requirements under the standards.

LEAD IN CONSTRUCTION
COMPLIANCE TABLE

The Federal Lead Exposure in Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.62, requires that before beginning any construction work that may result in lead exposure, an employer must determine if any employee may be exposed to lead at or above the action level (30 mg/m³). If any employee may be exposed at or above the action level, the employer must conduct air sampling at the start of the operation that may involve lead exposure. The major requirements of the Lead in Construction Standard are detailed below.

Any Airborne Lead

At or Above Action Level (30 µmg/m³)

Above PEL
(50 µg/m³)

X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X
X

X

CONDUCT EXPOSURE MONITORING
- at start of job
- every 6 months
- every quarter
- when job change may result in new or additional exposure
- if employee complains of symptoms related to lead exposureWhenever exposure monitoring is performed, employee must be provided with written notice of results.

X

USE FEASIBLE ENGINEERING AND WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS

X

DEVELOP WRITTEN COMPLIANCE PROGRAM AND REVIEW EVERY 6 MONTHS

X

X
X

X
X

PROVIDE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
- as interim measure
- to supplement engineering and work practice controls
- when controls not feasible
- upon employee requestWhen respirators are provided, a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134(b), (d), (e), and (f) must be established and fit testing must be conducted. A medical examination must be provided if an employee exhibits difficulty breathing during respirator fit test or use. An employer must provide a powdered air purifying respirator at the employee’s request.

MAINTAIN ALL SURFACES AS FREE OF LEAD AS POSSIBLE
- prohibit cleaning by compressed air
- use vacuuming or other equally effective cleaning methods
- use wet methods when vacuuming not feasible

X

X
X

X

PROHIBIT EATING, DRINKING, AND SMOKING IN JOB AREA
- provide eating and drinking area
- ensure employees wash prior to eating or drinking
- ensure employees do not enter eating area in lead-contaminated clothing

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

PROVIDE CHANGE AREAS AND STORAGE
- ensure employees do not leave job area in contaminated clothes

INSTITUTE MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM
Biological monitoring (Blood Lead + ZPP or FEP Levels)
- prior to assignment
- every 2 months for first 6 months of exposure
- written notification of results to employeeMedical examination must be provided when exposure is above action level and employee has developed signs or symptoms associated with lead intoxication, desires advice on effects of exposure on ability to procreate, or employee’s blood lead level is at or above 40 mg/100 g. A medical examination must also be provided when an employee exhibits difficulty breathing during respirator fit test or use.

X

X

X

X

PROVIDE MEDICAL REMOVAL AND PROTECTION
- if blood lead level is at or above 50 mg/100 g
- if indicated by a final medical determination

X

X

X

X

X

X

INFORM EMPLOYEES OF STANDARD
- make available a copy of standard

X

X

PROVIDE TRAINING PROGRAMTraining must also be made available if the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists.